Buses are the backbone of Bolivian travel. Long-distance coaches (flotas) connect all the main cities and are cheap by any measure — La Paz to Sucre costs a few dollars, La Paz to Santa Cruz around $10–15. For overnight journeys, cama buses offer reclining seats that go nearly flat and are well worth the small premium. Book through TicketsBolivia or EnBus to compare prices and reserve seats online.
Journey times are long by Bolivian geography and road conditions. La Paz to Cochabamba is around five hours; Cochabamba to Santa Cruz a further eight to ten. The Yungas Road between La Paz and Coroico — nicknamed the Death Road — has been largely superseded by a safer paved highway, but remains a famous day-trip for mountain bikers.
Domestic flights are the sensible choice when time matters. Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) connects La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Sucre, Oruro, Tarija, Trinidad, and Cobija. Fares are reasonable and save hours of bus travel on routes like La Paz–Sucre or La Paz–Trinidad.
Trains are limited but scenic. The Ferrocarril Oriental runs from Santa Cruz east to the Brazilian border at Quijarro (good for Pantanal connections) and south to Yacuiba on the Argentine border. The Ferroviaria Andina operates routes in the southwestern altiplano, including a line to Oruro.
In La Paz, the Mi Teleférico cable car system is genuinely brilliant — ten lines connect La Paz with El Alto and various city neighbourhoods cheaply and with great views. Use it to move around the city rather than fighting with traffic. Micros (minibuses) are the other main form of urban transport and cost almost nothing, though routes can be confusing.
Taxis in La Paz and Santa Cruz are metered or use agreed fares; always agree the price before getting in with unofficial taxis. Ride-hailing apps (InDriver is popular in Bolivia) offer a cheaper and more transparent alternative in the main cities.
For the Salar de Uyuni, most travellers join an organised 3-day jeep tour from Uyuni town. These cover the salt flats, coloured lagoons, geysers, and the Atacama border crossing into Chile. Book with a reputable operator — conditions are extreme and cheap tours often cut corners on safety.